Means for stacking hosiery



Oct. 20, 19 F. R. SHOAF 2,909,135

MEANS FOR STACKING HOSIERY Filed Oct. 25, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 FLOYD R. SHOAF F1 INVEN'I'OR earomwmmbgw ATTORNEYS Oct. 20, 1959 F. R. SHOAF MEANS FOR smcxmc: HOSIERY Filed Oct. 25; 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FLOYD R. SHOAF,

INVENTOR A'ITORNEY5 Oct. 20, 1959 MEANS FOR STACKING HOSIERY Filed 001:. 25, 1956 F. R. SHOAF 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 FLovD R. SHOAF,

INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Oct. 20, 1959 F. R. SHOAF mus FOR s'mcxmc HOSIERY Filed Oct. 25. 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. FLOYD R. sHO-AF ATTORNEY IS MEANS FOR STACKING HOSIERY Floyd R. Shoaf, Concord, N .C.

Application October 25, 1956, Serial No. 618,254

14 Claims. (Cl. 1'122) This invention relates to the art ofseaming hosiery and stacking the same for subsequent inspection and is particularly concerned with means for automatically stacking stockings in extended and untensioned form as they are seamed.

In the manufacture of wearing apparel, stockings in particular, it is common practice to stitch or seam quite a number of articles in succession without stopping the operation of the machine, successive articles being connected by a chain of stitching which is severed subsequently. Heretofore, upon each stocking being seamed, a short length of the next succeeding stocking has been seamed and then the operator would sever the connecting chain of stitching between the stocking that has been seamed and the stocking which is about to be seamed, and it would then be necessary for the operator to grasp the completely seamed stocking and carefully place the same upon a table, platform or tray so as to form a stack of extended stockings with the welts or open ends of all stockings facing in one direction so they could be easily handled during subsequent inspection of the stockings. It is apparent that the severing of the stitching, the extending of successive stockings and stacking the same has been time consuming and has resulted in a great loss of production.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved means for stacking stockings as they are sewn or seamed which includes successively feeding each successive stocking, by gravity, into a stocking collection guide, preferably in the shape of a tapered horn or cornucopia, wherein the guide has a reduced or restricted egress opening in its lower portion through which the leading portion or toe only of each successive stocking will pass. The connecting stitching between adjacent stockings is then severed and automatic means then grasp the toe of the stocking protruding through the egress opening of the guide and pulls the same substantially axially away from United States Patent the opening so the wall of the opening tends to resist movement of the stocking therethrough. Thus, when the stocking is completely withdrawn through the egress opening of the guide or horn, it is in a loosely extended and substantially flat state. The toe of the stocking is re leased as the welt or opposite end of the stocking passes through the egress opening of the guide, whereupon the stocking falls upon a support so that successive stockings are neatlystacked in extended toe-to-toe relationship and in an untensioned state. c

Many hosiery seaming machines currently in use are provided with selvage guides which are pivoted'on the sewing machine housing and are swung from inoperative position to operative position adjacent a selvage feeding means, generally in the, form of a pair of interengaging cups or disksand it is another object of this invention to provide apparatus including gripper elements which are normally positioned in inoperative position and in open position adjacent the egress end of the horn or guide heretofore describedand wherein, upon the selvageguide of the corresponding machine being moved ice to said operative position, a cycle in the operation of the gripper elements is automatically effected. Each cycle of the gripping device includes automatically closing the gripper elements in engagement with the toe of the corresponding stocking protruding through the egress opening of the horn and moving the gripper elements away from said opening for a predetermined distance and then opening the gripper elements to release the toe of the corresponding stocking to permit the stocking to fall upon a tray, platform, truck or the like in an extended and untensioned state. After each successive stocking is released by the grippercelements, the gripper elements return to inoperative position to complete a cycle in their operation.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceedsfwhen taken in connection with the accompanying drawin'gs,-'in which Figure 1 is a front elevation of the improved hosiery seamer dofling apparatus, showing the hose gripping and withdrawing means in rearward orinoperative position;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in Figure l with the seamingmachine table or platform and the hose receiving truck partially broken away; I I

Figure 3 is an enlarged isometric view of the lower forward end of one form of the hose collectinghornor guide showing the relative position of the gripping means as the latter occupies inoperative position;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view similar to Figure 3 showing the gripper elements in'closed position in engagement with a hose in the discharge end of the hose guide or horn preparatory to an active stroke being imparted to the gripper carriage; I

Figure 5 is aside elevation looking at the left-hand side of Figure l with the rear portion of the seaming machine table and the forward portion of the hose-receiving truck or container broken away; I

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation, partially in section, taken substantially along line 66 in Figurel; 5

Figure 7 is a view similar'to Figure 5 with the upper portion of the sewing machine or seaming machine and the motor and gear reduction unit being omitted and showing the gripper carriage occupying forward position at the end of an active stroke thereof; I

Figure 8 is a schematic wiring diagram of a suitable electrical circuit for-the apparatus;

Figure 9'is a fragmentary view similar to Figure 3 showing a modified form of discharge end for the hose collecting horn or guide.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, the present invention is particularly adapted for use with and is, therefore, shown in association with, a sewing machine 20 which may be of any suitable construction. The present method has been practiced in the art of seaming fullfashioned hosiery and, accordingly, the machine 20 is shown in Figures 1, 2 and 5 in the form of an overseaming machine or hosiery seamer, which is a type commonly employed for seaming hosiery. The sewing machine 20 comprises a housing Zlwhose base rests upon a suitable table or platform 22 having legs 23 which'rest upon a floor .or other surface indicated at F. The housing 21 has suitable mechanism therein, not shown, whichv is driven by a pulley 25 on which a suitably driven endless-belt 26 is mounted. I II I I I ,Themechanism wanna e housing 21 imparts rota tion to a pair of frontand rear hose-feeding cups or disks 30, to and between "Which'the unseamed edges or selvages of 'fullefashioned' hose or stockingsv Sare guided by;- a,

3 ward portion of the housing 21 above the disks or cups 30, as at 32. 7

The selvage guide 31 occupies the position shown in Figure 1 while the operator alines the selvages of the toe T of each successive hos'e S therewith. Thereafter, the selvage guide 31 is released by manually actuating a pair of arms 33, whereupon the lower portion of the selvage guide 31 occupies a position closely adjacent the bight of the feeding disks 30. The toe of each successive hose is thengrasped and fed by the disks 30 past the conventional seaming or sewing instrumentali'ties, not shown, and, as the welt W of each successive hose is passed between the disks 30, each successive seamed hose or stocking is separated from the next succeeding stocking orhoseby cutting the connecting stitching between succeeding stockings.

This cutting operation may be performed by means of a cutting device generally designated at 35 and shown in detail in my copending application Serial No. 546,925, filed November 15, 1955 and entitled Stitching Device for Seaming Machines, or said connecting stitching may be severed or cut by any suitable or conventional means. The severing device disclosed in said copending application is particularly useful with the present invention, since it operates to automatically sever the connecting stitching between adjacent stockings when the selvage guide 31 is moved from the inoperative position shown in Figurel to operative position closely adjacent the bight of the disks 30. Since the severing device and the means for operating the same are fully disclosed in said copending application, a detailed description thereof will not be given.

Now, it has been necessary heretofore for the operator of the seaming machine 20 to grasp each successive stocking after it has been seamed and during the severing of the connecting stitching between adjacent stockings and then carefully deposit each stocking in extended form on a suitable tray so as to form a neat stack of such stockings to facilitate subsequent handling and inspecting of the seamed stockings and to also prevent the stockings from becoming entangled with each other as they are seamed. It is apparent that this has required considerable handling of the stockings at the sewingmachine or seaming machine and has, therefore, reduced the productive capacity of the seaming machine as compared to what it would be if the manual extending and stacking of each successive seamed stocking had not been necessary.

In order to automatically stack stockings or hose in unitensioned, flat and extended position as they are seamed, I have provided a novel hosiery dofling, extending and stacking apparatus comprising a downwardly and forwardly or outwardly curved stocking guide or collection element '40 which is shown in the form of a downwardly and outwardly tapering and curved tube or horn having a relatively large open upper or ingress end 41 and having a restricted or relatively small open discharge end or bottom 42. The horn 40 is preferably in the shape of a cornucopia; commonly known as a horn of plenty. The

born 40 is preferably made from a smooth material such as plastic or the like, and may be attached to the sewing machine housing 21 by means of a bar or bracket 43, one end of which is suitably secured to the horn 40 and the other end of which is suitably secured to the housing 21 of the seaming or sewing machine 20.

It will be noted that the open upper end 41 of the guide or horn 40 is so positioned that the toe and remaining portions of each successive stocking S will fall into the tube, guide or born 40 as the seaming of each successive stocking progresses. The discharge opening 42 is relatively small as compared to the'ingress opening 41 of the horn 40 so that only a relatively small portion of the leadingend of each successive stocking; that is, the toe will protrude through the opening 42 in the lower end of the horn 40, and the rest of the stocking is deposited in a lazy pile within the horn 40. In the form of the horn 40 shown in Figures 1 through 5 and 7, it will be noted that I the upper portion of the discharge end or lower end of the horn 40 is cut away to form an extension 45 which extends forwardly beyond the discharge opening 42 of the horn 40 in the form of a trough. Opposed side wall portions of the trough 45 are sufiiciently high so the toe T of each successive stocking will be retained in the trough 45 and, at the juncture of the trough 45 with the body of the horn 40 at the discharge opening 42, opposed side wall portions of the trough 45 are cut away or recessed, as at 47, to accommodate a pair of gripper elements or jaws 48 and 49 shown in the form of round rods, in this instance (Figures 3 and 4).

The gripper elements 48, 49 are mounted on and depend from a carriage 52 shown in the form of a block. To this end, the rods or gripper elements 48, 49 are provided with respective upwardly extending stems 53, 54, the stem 53 being relatively short as compared to the stem 54. The stem 53 is offset at its upper end and is pivotally connected, as at 55, to the forward face of the block or carriage 52. A medial portion of the stem 54 is pivotally connected, as at 56, to the forward face of the block or carriage 52 and the gripper elements 48, 49 are normally urged toward each other by means of respective springs 70, 71. i

The spring 7 t is shown in the form of a leaf spring, one end of which engages the outer surface of the gripper element 48 and the other end of which is suitably secured to the lower surface of the block 52. The spring 71 is shown in the form of a tension spring, one end of which is connected to the block 52 and the other end of which is connected to the element 49 or the stem 54 thereof at a point between the lower end of the element 49 and the pivot point 56. The gripper element 48 is limited'as to its in ward movement toward the gripper element 49, so as to normally occupy a position in substantially perpendicular relation to the bottom of the trough 45 when the carriage 52 is in the inoperative position shown in Figures 1 through 5, by means of a stop pin or abutment 72 projecting forwardly from the carriage or block 52 at a point inwardly of the pivot point 55 so the upper end of the stem 53 is normally urged against the abutment 72.

7 It should be noted that the spring 70 is relatively stronger than the spring 71 so that, when the gripper elements 48, 49 occupy closed position as shown in Figure 4, the spring 70 prevents further clockwise movement of the gripper elements 48, 49. Also, the pivot points 55, 56 are preferably off-set as shown to further insure that the gripper elements 48, 49 cannot move materially further in a clockwise direction than that shown in Figure 4 under the pressure of the spring 71.

The carriage 52 is formed integral with or suitably secured to a lateral arm 75 of a lever 76 having a substantially vertical portion or arm 77 to which arm 75 is connected. The arm 77 of the lever 76 extends downwardly and a medial portion thereof is pivotally mounted, as at 80, on a frame 81 which is shown as being substantially T-shaped in Figures 5,6 and 7. The frame 81 may be suitably secured to the floor F and is shown, in this instance, secured to a base 83 resting upon or suitably secured to the floor F. The base 83 supports a suitable drive mechanism shown in the form of an electric motor 84 fixed upon the base 83 and having'a shaft 85 coupled to the input shaft of a gear reduction unit 87, as at 90. The gear reduction unit 87 is also fixed on the base 83 and has an output shaft 91 extending therefrom on which a rotary element 92 is fixedly mounted. The rotary element 92 is shown in the form of a disk, although it will be apparent, as the description proceeds, that a crank may be substituted therefor.

The disk 92 has one end of a drive link 94 pivotally connected thereto in eccentric relation to the axis thereof,

as at 95. As best shown in Figure 6, the other end of the link 94 is pivotally connected to the lower end of the arm 77 of lever 76 at a point remote'from the carriage 52 relative to the pivot point of the lever 76.

To this end, the .link 94 is pivotally connected to the lower end of the arm 77 of the lever 76 by means of a pin or shoulder screw 96 which may be positioned in any one of a plurality of holes 97 formed in the lower portion of the lever 76 in order to adjustably vary the eifective stroke of the lever 76. It is apparent that rotation of the disk or rotary element 92 impartsreciprocatory or forward and rearward movement to. the carriage 52. Now in order to open and close the gripper elements 48, 49 at the proper time, it will be observed in Figures 3 and 4 that the stem 54 of the gripper element 49 extends upwardly beyond the pivot point 56 and has one end of a connecting link "100 pivotally connected thereto. The link 100 extends outwardly in substantially parallel relation to the arm 75 of the lever 76 and is pivotally con nected to one corner of a substantially triangular plate 101, which plate may be termed as a bell crank. The bell crank 101 is pivotally connected, as at 102 (Figure 3), to the lever 76 at the juncture of the arms 75 and 77.

As heretofore stated, the jaws or gripper elements 48, 49 are normally urged to closed position by the springs 70 and 71. In this instance, means are provided for opening the jaws or gripper elements 48, 49 at the end of each active and inactive stroke of the carriage 52 and lever 76. Of course, it is apparent that the jaws or gripper elements 48, 49 may be opened at the end of each active stroke thereof (Figure 7) for releasing the toe of each successive hose or stocking S and the jaws 48, 49 may remain open throughout each inactive stroke of the carriage 52, without departing from the spirit of the invention. 1

In order to open the jaws or gripper elements 48, 49 at the end of each active and inactive stroke of the carriage 52 and lever 76, the bell crank or plate 101 has the upper end of a pair of gripper actuating links or elements 105, 106 pivotally connected thereto. The link 105 may be termed as a pick-up jaw actuating element and the link 1% may be termed as a depositing jaw actuating element. The links 105, 106 are preferably made from a pliable material, such as wire, and the lower ends of the links 105, 106 are provided with respective elongated loops 107, 108 thereon which-serve to provide slots in the respective links 105,106. The slots defined by the loops 107, 108 are penetrated by respective pins or shoulder screws 11-1, 112 which may be adjustably positioned in the upper portion of the frame 81. In this instance, the upper portion of the frame 81 has two groups of holes 113 and 114 therein (Figure 6) and it is apparent that the shoulder screw 111 may be positioned in any one of the holes 113 and the shoulder screw 112 may be positioned in any one of the holes 114 for adjusting the relative positions of the lower portions of therespective links 105, 106.

It is preferable that the lower portions ofv the links .105, 106 are disposed astride the horizontal plane of the pivot point 80 of the lever 76. The pin or shoulder screw 111 ispositioned relative to the disk 92 and the pivot points 95, 96 of the link 94 so the bottom or free end of the loop 107, or the slot defined thereby in the lower end of the link 105, engagesthe pin or shoulder screw 111as the sponding wallportion of thetrough 45, Thus, thejjaws' or gripper elements 48, 49 occupy fully opened position as the pivot point 95, (Fi gur e 6) reaches fQIfWgyq'xrdfidcenter and the 76 reaches the extreme end of its .rearward,stroke. The extent to which the jaw 49 can-be opened by the link 107 may be' limited by a stop pin or 6 abutment provided on the carriage or block 52 (Figures 3 and 4).

The jaw or gripper element 48 does not actually move outwardly of the jaw 49relative to the plate or carriage 52, since it has been found that the toe T of each successive stocking S will move downwardly into the trough 45 past the jaw 48 whose lower portion is then positioned in the trough 45. However, it is contemplated that the jaw 48 may also move outwardly relative to the jaw 49 and the trough 45 of the horn 40 without departing from the spirit of the invention.

As will be, more fully describedhereinafter, the carriage orblock 52 and lever 76 dwell or come to rest at the end of each inactive stroke thereof and means, under control of the operator, initiates an active stroke of the lever 76 and carriage 52 as the welt W (Figures 2 and 7) of each successive stocking falls into the open upper end 41 of the horn 40, following the cutting of the stitching connecting adjacent stockings. As the lever 76 moves forwardly in the initiation of each active stroke thereof, it is apparent that the pivot point 102 (Figures 1 and 3) moves toward pin 111 (Figures 5, 6 and 7) so the jaws 48, 49 are returned to closed position by the spring 71 and whereupon the loop 107 of link 105 moves downwardly relative to the pin or shoulder screw 111.

At this same time, it is apparent that the link 106 also moves in a clockwise direction with link 105 and the lever 76, from the position shown in Figure 5 to the position shown in Figure 7. As the carriage 52 approaches the end of its active stroke as shown in Figure 7, the bottom of the slot defined by the loop 108 of link 106 engages the pin or shoulder screw 112 immediately before the pivot point 95 between link 94 and disk 92 reaches rearward dead-center position or a position substantially diametrically opposite from that in which it is shown in Figure 6. Thus, when the pivot point 95 reaches rearward dead-center position, the jaws 48, 49 or gripper elements 4 8, 49 will have again been opened in the same manner in which they are opened at the end of each inactive stroke of the lever 76 and carriage 52.

Now, since each successive stocking is in loose form and merely rests in the tube or horn 40 by gravity, the restricted open end 42 thereof tends to retard movement of the stocking as the gripper elements 48, 49 draw the stocking out of the discharge or egress opening 42 of the horn. 40 so that, with each active stroke of the lever 76 and the gripper carriage 52, the corresponding stocking S is drawn out in a substantially horizontal and substantially flat position so that successive stockings are stacked on a tray or any other suitable means such'as is exemplified by a truck in Figures 1, 2 and 5. Thus, the stockings are automatically neatly stacked in a loose, untensioned state on theplatform, tray or truck 120.

In order to initiate each cycle of the lever 76 and gripper carriage 52, the electric motor 84 is deener-gized during the seaming of each successive stocking S and is automatically energized following the severing of the connecting stiching between the Welt W of each successive seamed stocking and the toe T of the stocking to be seamed thereafter. To this end, the housing of a switch is fixed to the housing'21 of the sewing machine 20 above and forwardly of the pivot point 32 of the selvage guide 31. A portion of the selvage guide 31 above the pivot point thereof has an arm 126 attached thereto (Figures 1, 2, 5 and 8) which extends forwardly and is then bent at substantially right angles so that each time the operator swings the selvage guide 31'd0W1'1- wardly from the position shown in Figure l to operative position adjacent the bight of the disks =30, the' arm 1 26 engages and snaps'past a flexible arm a on the switch 125m momentarily actuate the same.

In this instance, the switch 125 is shown in the form the switch 125 initiates the fiow'of current t o:th e electric motor 84 to impart a complete revolution to the disk 92 (Figure 6). It will be noted that the disk 92 has an abutment or pin 127 projecting therefrom which may be selectively positioned in any one of a plurality of arcuately spaced holes 130 formed in the disk 92. When the apparatus is at rest, the disk 92 normally occupies the position shown in Figure 6 wherein it will be noted that the abuement 127 is positioned in substantially opposite relation to the pivot point 95 of the corresponding end of link 94. As each revolution is imparted to the disk 92 by energization of the electric motor 84, the abutment moves into engagement with an actuating arm 131 of a switch 132 whose housing is suitably secured to the motor base 83 (Figures and 6).

The actuating arm 131 of the switch 127 is preferably made from a resilient material, such as a leaf-spring material, in order that the abutment 127 on the disk 92 will engage and momentarily actuate the switch 132 and then move past the same. Also, the pin or abutment 127 is so positioned that, upon the electric motor 84 being deenergized by engagement of the actuating arm 131 by the pin or abutment 127, the disk 92 will coast as the speed of the motor 84 diminishes to zero and will cometo rest at substantially the time the pivot point 95 between the link 94 and the disk 92 reaches forward center position. It should be noted that the coasting move ment of the disk 92 is retarded somewhat by the spring 71 (Figure 4) as the bottom of the slot defined by the loop 107 in the link 105 engages the shoulder screw 111.

Now, referring to Figure 8, it will be observed that the switch 132 is normally closed so that, although the switch 125 is only closed momentarily, switch 132 maintains energization of motor 84, by means of a relay broadly designated at 135, and when the pin or abutment 127 on the disk 92 engages the actuating arm 131, the switch 132 is opened and breaks the circuit to the electric motor 84.

It is apparent that the disk 92 moves relatively slowly so that, as the welt W of each successive stocking S is withdrawn from the horn 40, the tension in the stocking S caused by the pull upon the stocking as it is being withdrawn from the horn 40 will not cause the stocking W to snap forward.

The electric motor 84 has conductors 136, 137 leading from opposite sides thereof. The conductor 137 is connected to a medial portion of a lead conductor 140 extending from a suitable source of current or a plug 141 adapted to be connected to a suitable source'of current. The other end of conductor 140 is connected to one end of a coil 142 of the relay 135. The coil 142, when energized, closes a pair of normally open switches 143, 144 which are parts of the relay 135 and, when closed, the switch 143 establishes contact between conductor 136 and a conductor 145, and the switch 144, when closed, establishes contact between a pair of conductors 146, 147. The conductor 146 leads from the switch 144 of relay 135 to one side of the normally open switch 125. The other side of the switch 125 has one end of a lead con ductor 150 leading therefrom to the side of the plug 141 opposite from that to which the conductor 140 is connected. A manually operable master switch 151 may be interposed in the conductor 150. The end of the coil 142 of relay 135, opposite from the end to which conductor 140 is connected, has a conductor 152 leading therefrom to a medial portion of conductor 146.

The conductor 1 45 leads from the switch 143 of relay 135 to a medial portion of conductor 150 and the conductor 147 leads from the switch 144 of relay 135' to one side of the normally closed switch 1327 The other side of the normally closed switch 132 has a conductor 155 leading therefrom which is connected to a medial portion of the conductor 150. It is apparent that the master switch 151 is disposed between the plug 141 and the conductors 155 and 145.

It is thus seen that, upon the master switch 151 and the normally open switch 125 being closed in the manner heretofore described, current flows from the plug 141 through conductor I50, switch 125, conductors 146 and 152, coil 142 of relay and conductor to the other side of the plug 141. The relay 135 is then energized thereby closing the switches 143, 144. When switch 143 is closed, current flows through the electric motor 84 and, although the switch 125 may be opened, current continues to flow through the coil 142 of the relay 135, since it then flows from one side of plug 141 through conductors and 155, through the normally closed switch 132, through conductor 147, switch 144 of relay 135, conductors 146 and 152, coil 142 and conductor 140 to the other side of the plug 141, since the switch 125 is only closed momentarily whenever the selvage 31 is moved from inoperative to operative position by the operator. Since the switch 125 remains open during the seaming operation and a cycle of the hose extending apparatus is completed before the welt W of each succes sive stocking S passes through the sewing machine 20, it is apparent that the abutment 127 engages the actuating arm 131 and opens switch 132 while the switch 125 is open thereby breaking the circuit to the coil 142 of relay 135 so that both switches 143 and 144 will open and break the circuit to the electric motor 84.

It is apparent that the gripper actuating links 105, 106 need not be made from a pliable material, but the link 105, in particular, is preferably made from a pliable material so that it may yield or how as shown in Figure 7 when the carriage 52 and lever 76 move to the limit of each active stroke thereof.

In Figure 9, a modified discharge end portion of the collecting horn or hose guide is shown wherein the horn is indicated at 40'. Since the portions of the gripper means shown in Figure 9 are identical to those shown in Figures 3 and 4, they will bear the same reference characters. The horn 40, only a portion of which is shown in Figure 9, differs from the horn 40 in Figures 1 through 7 only to the extent that it is of a relatively smaller diameter at its discharge end 42' and the discharge end 42 is off-set slightly relative to the path of travel of the gripper elements 48, 49 and the trough, such as trough 45, is omitted from the form of horn or hose guide 40' shown in Figure 9. Thus, as the gripper elements 48, 49 move toward the discharge end 42 of the horn 40' in an inactive stroke thereof, the inner surface of the gripper element or rod 48 engages the portion of the free end or discharge end 42 of the horn 40' nearest the observer in Figure 9 and is thus deflected toward the observer as the other gripper element or rod 49 is swung outwardly away from the gripper element 48 in the manner heretofore described.

Thus, since the horn 40 tapers and gradually increases in diameter toward the upper end thereof, the gripper elements or rods 48, 49 are held in open position by engaging opposite sides of the discharge end portion of the horn 40'. With each active stroke of the gripper elements 48, 49 it is apparent that the gripper element 48 will engage one side of the toe T of the corresponding stocking projecting from the free or discharge end 42' of the horn 40' and the other gripper element 49 will snap into engagement with the other side of the toe T of the corresponding stocking S to thus clamp the same and withdraw the same from the tube or horn 40' as the carriage 52 moves in an active stroke in the manner heretofore described.

It is thus seen that I have provided a novel method of collecting, extending and stacking hosiery which includes depositing each successive stocking in a tapered tube having a relatively small end of such size that only one small end portion of each successive hose protrudes through the small end, and then automatically grasping 9 the stocking at substantially the time the other "end of the stocking is withdrawn throughthe lower end of the tapered tube so the 'stocking floats downwardly and comes to rest in elongated but untensionedposition to form a stack of stockings from successive stockings thus processed. e

In the drawings and"specification there has been set forth a preferredembodiment of the invention and, although specific terms' are employed, they 'areused in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation', 'the scope of t he "invention being defined in the claimsg 1. In a hosiery seamer for seaming stockings in successio'n and having means under'control of an operator for severing the stitching connectingadjacent stockings upon the'se'aming o f successive stockings being completed; the

combination oi a guide ,into' whicheaeh successive stocking progressively passes asj fisseainedjsaid guide having an egress opening in itslower portion of substantially lesser displacement than the bulk of each successive stocking as it is deposited in said guide whereby only a relatively short length of each successive stocking protrudes through said egress opening, means automatically operable upon actuation of said means under control of the operator for grasping the portion of' each successive stocking protruding through said egress opening and for withdrawing the corresponding stocking through and in substantially axial alinementwith the opening to thereby extend the corresponding stocking, and means to render said grasping means inoperative substantially simultaneously with the complete withdrawal of the corresponding stocking through said egress opening to release the corresponding stocking.

2. In a hosiery. seamen for seaming stockings in succession and havingmeans under controlof an operator for severing the stitching connecting adjacent stockings upon the seaming of successive stockings being completed; the combination of a downwardly and forwardly extending guide into which each successive stocking progressively passes, by gravity, as it is seamed, said guide having an egress opening in its lower forward portion of substantially lesser displacement than the bulk of each successive stocking as it is deposited in said guide whereby only a relatively short length of each successive stocking protrudes through said egress opening, means auto matically operable upon actuation of said means under control of the operator for grasping said protruding length of each successive stocking and withdrawing the same through, and in substantially axial alinement with, the opening to thereby extend the corresponding stocking, and means to render said grasping means inoperative substantially simultaneously with the complete withdrawal of a stocking through said egress opening to release the corresponding stocking.

3. In a hosiery seamer for seaming stockings in succession and having means for severing the stitching connecting adjacent stockings upon the seaming of successive stockings being completed; the combination of a cornucopia into the larger upper end of which each successive stocking progressively falls as it is seamed and having an egress opening in its lower portion of substantially lesser displacement than the bulk of each successive stocking as it is deposited in said cornucopia whereby only a relatively short length of each successive stocking protrudes through said egress opening, means for grasping the protruding length of each successive stocking and withdrawing the corresponding stocking in a substantially horizontal path through said opening to thereby extend the corresponding stocking, and means to render said grasping means inoperative substantially simultaneously with the complete withdrawal of the corresponding stocking through said egress opening to release the corresponding stocking.

4. Ina hosiery seamer for seaming stockings in succession and having means for severing the stitching connecting adjacent stockings as the seaming of each successive stocking is completed; the combination of an inclined guide onto which each successive stockng progressively" falls, toe first, as it is seamed, said guide having a reduced lower portion of substantially lesser internal displacement than the bulk of each successive stocking as it is deposited on said guide whereby only a relatively short length of the toe of each successive stocking protrudes thereth'ro'ugh, means for grasping the relatively short protruding length of each successive stocking and withdrawing the corresponding stocking through said reduced lower portion of the guide to thereby extend the corresponding stocking, and means to render said gnasping means inoperative substantially simultaneously 'with the complete withdrawal of the corresponding stocking through said reduced portion to release the corresponding stocking; r 1

5. 'Apparatus for: extending stockings to form a stack of such stockings comprising an *angularly disposed collection element having a relatively large open upper end for receiving'successive stockings, the lower end of said collection element having a relatively small egress opening therein of such size that only -a relatively short length of one end of eachsuccessive stocking protrudes therethrough, acarriage normally positioned at said egress opening, normally inoperative grasping means carried by said carriage, means to impart active and inactive strokes to said carriage away from and toward said element and along a substantially horizontal path, means operable automatically upon initiation of each active stroke of the carriage to cause the grasping means to grasp said end of the corresponding stocking whereby the stocking is drawn through the egress opening, means operable automatically upon said carriage moving a predetermined distance away from said-"opening for rendering the grasping means inoperative tothereby release the stocking therefrom wherebythe stocking falls, "by gravity, to a position below 'the' level'of the collection element and the grasping means.

6. A structure according to claim 5 wherein the collection element is in the form of a horn.

7. A structure according to claim 5 wherein the collection element is in the form of a cornucopia.

8. A structure according to claim 5 wherein said grasping means is in the form of a pair of normally open gripper elements, said means to cause the grasping means to grasp including means for closing said gripper elements, and said rendering means including means to open said gripper elements.

9. The combination with a hosiery searmer of a substantially tubular stocking collection element having a relatively large open upper end positioned adjacent and below the seaming instrumentalities of the seamer and into which each successive stocking progressively fialls after it is seamed, at least the lower portion of said collection element being curved outwardly and provided with a relatively small egress opening therein of such size as to permit only a relatively short length of each successive stocking to fall therethrough as the stockings are deposited in the collection element, a pair of normally open gripper elements normally occupying inoperative position adjacent said egress opening and between which said length of each successive stocking passes, means for moving said gripper elements in a substantially horizontal path away from said opening a predetennined distance in an active stroke and then returning the gripper elements in an inactive stroke to their original position, means automatically operable upon the initiation of each active stroke of the gripper elements for closing the same to grip the corresponding portion of each successive stocking therebetween whereby the stocking is drawn through said egress opening and extended as the gripper elements move away from said egress opening, and means automatically 1 I operable for again opening said gripper elements upon movement thereof a predetermined distance away from the egress opening of the collection element for releasing the stocking therefrom. V

10. A structure according to claim 9 wherein the means for closing and opening and moving the gripper elements comprises a carriage on which the gripper elements are mounted for relative movement, a stationary frame adjacent said collection element, a lever having a medial portion thereof pivoted for movement about a substantially horizontal axis on said frame and extending upwardly therefrom and to which said carriage is connected, manually controlled means for imparting rocking movement to said lever to thereby impart said inactive and active strokes to the gripper elements.

11. A structure according to claim 10 wherein the means for imparting rocking movement to the lever comprises a normally stationary rotary element disposed adjacent said lever, a drive link eccentrically connected to said rotary element and also being connected to said lever, manually operable means for initiating rotation of said rotary element, and means automatically operable upon a revolution of said rotary element for stopping the rotary element.

12,. A structure according to claim 10 wherein the means for opening and closing said gripper elements includes a connecting link connected to at least one of said gripper elements, resilient means normally urging said gripper elements to closed position, a bell crank mounted on said lever adjacent said carriage and to which the other end of said connecting link is connected, first and second actuating links having their upper ends connected to said bell crank and each having an elongated slot in its lower portion, a pair of pins fixed to said frame and straddling the pivot point of said lever and penetrating the slots in the respective actuating links, the bottom of the slot in one actuating link being engageable with its pin as the carriage and lever approach the end of each active stroke to thereby impart movement to the bell crank and at least one of the gripper elements relative to the lever foropening the gripper elements at the end of each inactive stroke of the carriage, and the bottomgof the slot inthe other actuating link being adapted to engage its pin as the lever and carriage move to inoperative positionto also impart movement to the bell crank and at least one of the gripper elements to open said gripper elements and maintain the gripper elements open as a short length of thesucceeding stocking passes through the egress opening and between the gripper elements. V v

13. A structure according to claim- 11 having an electric motor for driving said rotary'element, a normally open relay interposed in an electrical circuit to the electric motor, said means for initiating rotation of said rotary element including a normally open switch interposed in a circuit to said relay, means undercontrol of an operator for momentarily closing said normally open switch to thereby close the circuitftosaidrelay, a normally closed switch, means on said rotary element for opening the normally closed switch upon a predetermined amount of rotary movement being imparted 'to said rotary element, and said normally closed switch, when opened, being adapted to break the circuit to said relay and stop the electric motor.

14. A structure according to claim l2'wherein the means for imparting rocking movement to the lever comprises a normally stationary rotary element disposed adjacent said lever, a drive link eccentrically connected to said rotary element and also being connected to said lever, manually operable means for initiating rotation of said rotary element, and means automatically operable upon a revolution of said rotary element for stopping the rotary element.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

